Women’s rights is far too common a topic when discussing misconceptions about Islam. The idea that women are not allowed to be educated, not allowed to attain a degree, not allowed to work, are common ideas – but far from the truth. These misconceptions are borne out of misjudged conclusions after social and political unrest in parts of the world are conflated with religion.
Islam is a religion that empowers women. From Maryam ‘Al Asturlabi’, the 10th-century maker of astrolabes to Sutayta al-Mahamali, a 10th-century Iraqi scholar, mathematician, and jurist, and Aisha (ra), a prominent scholar and a wife of the Prophet of Islam (sa), how can such assertions still be peddled to this day? How, when countless examples in history are evidence that Muslim women have always climbed to the summits of education?
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community not only acknowledges and supports women in their respective professional and academic careers, but it highlights and celebrates their achievements on a grand scale.
At an annual international spiritual convention held in Alton, known as the ‘Jalsa Salana UK’ one cannot leave the site without being witness to this undeniable truth: Islam promotes the right to seek an education for women and men equally.
At this convention, those female students who have gained exceptional academic results (ranging from GCSEs to PhD studies) receive international recognition. At an award ceremony in the presence of the Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba), the names of these students are announced for all to hear – their grades and degrees are also displayed. The students receive a certificate, medal and copy of the Holy Qur’an signed by His Holiness (aba).
His Holiness (aba) – despite leading a religious community of millions around the world, with every minute of his day being filled with significant work – pours precious hours into encouraging, guiding and championing education- this is the hefty weight that is laid on seeking knowledge for women and men.
The Review of Religions women’s team gained some insight from four students who received their awards at the 2025 ceremony.
Naila Abid received her award for her PhD in Cancer Immunology and Genetics. She tells us she is, ‘truly honoured and blessed to receive this award. It is a reminder that my journey does not end here; rather, it inspires me to continue striving to serve humanity and my faith through my work.’ The desire to serve humanity through seeking knowledge is a common and oft-quoted desire among Ahmadi youth.
As a highly educated Muslim woman, she condemns the idea that Islam prohibits women from seeking an education, ‘Islam places immense value on the education, intellect, and talents of women. It encourages both men and women to seek knowledge and share it with others. Islam taught us “whoever travels a path seeking knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim). Women, in particular, are encouraged to pursue education because they play a vital role in nurturing and educating future generations.’
Similarly, Afia Naseem received an award for her PhD in Pharmacology from the Institute of Cancer Research, she too states, ‘Throughout Islamic history, there have been many prominent Muslim women scholars, which strongly refutes this allegation… Islam recognises a women’s intellect as a strength, not a limitation.’
Fateha Khawaja received her award for Intercalated Bachelors in Medical Science with Women’s Health.
She tells us, ‘I think it honestly feels like such a privilege that Huzur (aba) [His Holiness] has taken time out of his busy schedule to celebrate the hard work that young Ahmadis have been putting into their studies. Watching people receive awards when I was a child always incentivised me to work hard so that one day I could do the same.’
Fateha has always found strength when facing academic challenges by, ‘writing letters to Huzur (aba) and requesting his prayers… simply sending off those letters brings an immediate sense of peace.’ She also believes her service to the community aids her journey, ‘I vividly remember working on my dissertation last year, sitting at the back of my regional Ijtema [community event], double checking my data in between sessions… I ended up doing well on the final piece’. She emphasises that, ‘we would be nothing without the power of prayer.’
Nida Ul Haque gained her award for exceptional GCSE grades. She attributes her winning to ‘the plethora of speeches and guidance Huzoor (aba) has provided us, where he has continually reminded us to excel in all parts of our life.’ As well as other Ahmadi Muslim women, ‘sisters who are not just pioneers in the field they are in but also have a close relationship with the Jam’at [community].’ This inspires her to place faith over worldly matters.
About challenging misconceptions regarding Muslim women, Nida tells us, ‘Huzur (aba) has consistently stressed gaining an education as ‘‘pursuit of knowledge should serve as a resounding answer to those who claim that Islam does not value the education of women and girls.’”
These are just 4 of the 123 women who received an award for their studies during the Jalsa Salana.
Many of these students are registered with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Women Students’ Association (AMWSA), an organisation which was established almost 20 years ago by His Holiness (aba) to support female students in their academic careers. This is done through initiatives such as organising writers’ retreats to garner motivation for students completing dissertations. Book clubs, book exchanges, mock interviews and countless other activities also help students. The 305 students currently registered with this organisation are studying at 129 universities across the UK, including Russel Group universities. 75 of these students are currently studying Medicine and Dentistry, with subjects such as Law, Psychology, Teaching, and Languages being popular choices. A number of these students go on to receive further education, completing masters and PhDs. So this is the bigger, living picture. The hard evidence. The dedication and effort of these Ahmadi Muslim women should not simply be disregarded in favour of tired and frequently refuted allegations about women in Islam.
About the author: Komal Hadi works for The Review of Religions Online Team.